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So apparently it is that time in Tennessee for the 13 year Cicada to come and join us from the ground. My worry? What will they do to my garden? and is there anything that I should be doing now to get prepared? Has anyone been thru this?

• Cicadas are said to make good eating because they are low in fat and high in protein. They are considered a delicacy by many people around the world. The European settlers in North America observed the Indians eating them. During the last emergence of Brood X cicadas in 1987, a number of people in Cincinnati and Illinois were reported to have tried deep-fried and stir-fried cicadas. There was also talk of cicada pizzas and cicada candy, and local newspapers printed cicada recipes. • Experts say that the best way to eat cicadas is to collect them in the middle of the night as they emerge from their burrows and before their skins harden. When they are in this condition—like soft-shell crabs—they can be boiled for about a minute. It is said they taste like asparagus or clam-flavored potato. To get ready look up some recipies and fire up the kitchen.

Cicadas definitely won't bother your veggies. They only feast on deciduous trees. For your larger trees, they will actually help by thinning out weaker branches. But if you have any young ornamentals or delicate baby trees you wouldn't want to lose, you can net them to keep them safe during the emergence. Keep an eye on your pets as well if you have any. My dog likes to eat them until she barfs. Then she goes right back to jumping up to catch more. Smaller dogs can choke on them though. If this is your year, check out www.cicadamania.com We have one of the country's best cicada experts here in Cincy (Gene Kritsky) so we get a little overloaded on info around cicada time!